Municipal workers preparing for job losses at Toronto City Hall

Toronto
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Two internal leaked memos state that Toronto City Hall may look at laying off municipal workers in order to trim the 2012 $784 million operating budget. City Manager Joe Pennachetti issued a second Q&A memo to address employees' concerns over job losses.

City Manager Joe Pennachetti sent e-mails out to senior city staff Monday where he said city hall is about to launch three reviews.

One would identify which city services are essential and which ones can be either reduced or eliminated altogether. The second would investigate how to deliver services at a cheaper rate and the third one would look at raising user fees.

Mayor Rob Ford has proposed the use of consultants, who will be paid $3 million, to look at the first two reviews. The primary purpose of these reviews and consultants is to fill the enormous $784 million budget gap that currently stands for 2012.

Pennachetti later issued a second memo that was designed to address concerns and questions regarding potential job cuts.

One of the key questions asked was what will will the city of Toronto do for those who have lost their jobs. The memo responded: "The City is aware that the loss of employment has a serious impact on the individuals affected. Effort will be made to support any staff displaced through these processes."

Another question asked was if the public will have any input into the decision making during this process. The memo responded: "The public will have a voice at multiple points in the process. City staff will coordinate a consultation process that will allow the public to give input to the Core Service Review through a variety of channels."

According to CP24, Etobicoke Councillor Doug Ford will sit down with the city manager to discuss all efficiencies.